Nevus of Ota

Nevus fuscocaeruleus is the umbrella term for two particular forms of benign, dark blue pigmented, circumscribed malformation of the skin ( dermal pigmented nevi ), which differ from each other only by their localization. The nevus of Ota is located in the facial area, while the nevus Ito occurs mainly in the shoulder area. Colloquially, such lesions are called " birthmarks ".

Epidemiology and history

Frequent occurrence in Asians, and occasionally in dark-skinned people, but rarely in whites. The nevus of Ota (太 田 母 斑Japanese ) was first described by the Japanese dermatologist Masao Ota ( 1885-1945 ) in 1939. He is almost five times more often in women than in men. The nevus Ito was first published by Minor Ito 1954.

Clinic

This type of skin disorder appears as a dark bluish to brownish hyperpigmentation, which is ill-defined and piebald. The unusual bluish color due to extensive ectopic accumulation of melanocytes in the deep dermis. It can also lead to hypertrichosis.

Nevus of Ota

In the case of nevus of Ota, the coverage area of the first or second trigeminal branch is mostly affected, ie forehead, eye area, cheek, palate. The conjunctiva and sclera of the eye, as well as the hard palate and the tympanic membrane can be included. The occasional excess hair affects mainly the temporal region. Due to the localization of nevus of Ota nevus also fuscocaeruleus ophthalmomaxillaris is called.

Nevus Ito

When it comes to flat nevus Ito hyperpigmentation and hypertrichosis in the shoulder area. Due to the localization of the nevus Ito is also called nevus fuscocaeruleus acromiodeltoides or deltoideoacromialis.

Course and prognosis

The nevus of Ota is either present at birth or develops only in the course of puberty. In contrast to the Mongolian spot it stays for a lifetime and can be disfiguring. An effective treatment option is laser treatment.

There is the possibility of malignant transformation in malignant melanoma, but this is very rare.